It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

My good friend Ralph Walker sent me this news article about an unbelievable ending to a baseball game.

It was the New York high school championship game played last week. Hornell was one strike away from winning 5-4 over Palmyra-Macedon.

Palmyra-Macedon had runners on first and second base. Hornell got that final strike — on a pitch the catcher wasn’t able to catch cleanly. In baseball on a dropped third strike, the catcher must tag the batter to record the out, or throw to the first baseman.

It appeared the Hornell catcher reached toward the batter who was running to first. The catcher looked back at the home plate umpire, and didn’t notice he gave the “safe” sign, indicating the tag hadn’t been made.

In the confusion the Hornell team started celebrating. But Palmyra-Macedon continued running.

Before Hornell realized what happened, Pal-Mac had scored both runners from first and second base. Instead of winning 5-4, Hornell ended up losing 6-5.

“This has gotta be the most bizarre ending I’ve ever seen,” said the sports broadcaster.

So, in a matter of 90 seconds Hornell went from the joy and excitement of celebrating a championship, to suffering the sorrow and frustration of losing the game. It’s a heartbreaking lesson of learning not to celebrate too soon.

There’s also a great spiritual lesson for all Christians not to be over confident. Not to quit too soon. Not to assume that you’ve earned your heavenly prize. But to keep pressing on until the day you die.

While in a Roman prison, as his life hung in the balance Paul said he was “reaching forward,” and pressing “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

In his final exhortation to the Colossian brethren, Paul wrote, “Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord” (Col.4:17).

Did Paul have a special assignment for Archippus to accomplish? Was he discouraged? Was he in danger of being influenced by Gnosticism that had invaded the church? Was there a personal burden or spiritual challenge that was a threat to finishing his ministry? We don’t know.

The word “complete” is often translated “fulfill.” It speaks to our charge to finish what we’ve begun. To keep going. To accomplish God’s purpose for us and through us.

As we grow older, it may be tempting to reminisce about ministry accomplishments of bygone days. To feel like we’re in the 9th inning of the game, that we’re winning. But we need to remember that the game is not over yet.

In his fine book “The Winter of Life,” subtitled “Redeeming the Time,” Sewell Hall reminds us that there is still work to do. We have something to offer. Old age is not a time to still down and wait to die, but to keep on keeping on. To remain faithful. And serve as best we can.

In his book Forward, Davd Jeremiah reminds us of this truth. “Your role may change. Your assignments may evolve and your situation may alter. You may have to make adjustments. Even so, one fact won’t change as long as God leaves you on earth. He has ongoing work for you.”

While you may retire from a job, profession, or occupation, there is no retirement in the Christian life. Larry Swaim, in “Growing Older in God’s Grace,” points out that while there are challenges as we grow older, there are also unique opportunities to share our knowledge and wisdom. To be a good example to the younger generation. And to encourage others.

These admonitions speak to the importance of staying focused. Being watchful. Paying attention. Persisting through problems. And being alert to Satan’s schemes that tempt us to quit to soon.

Remember that the “game of life” is not over until the last out of the final inning as decreed by the Eternal Umpire.

In the words of the Hall-of-Fame Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman